Volleyball team defeated by trio of quality teams

The women’s volleyball team faced the University of Northwestern Ohio, Aquinas College, and #14 Cornerstone University this week. They lost all three games and are now 4-9 overall and 1-6 in conference play.

Coach Eric Stark said this week “we have been focusing on playing cleaner in the first five and the last five.” He went on to say “we need to focus on our responsibilities.”

The Wolverines opened the week’s action on Wednesday night against the University of Northwestern Ohio in Lima, Ohio at the Garage. The Wolverines forced a fourth set in this contest but eventually fell three sets to one (12-25, 25-19, 17-25, 19-25).

Junior Erin Parrinello rocked the game with 11 kills, 5 service aces, an assist, 7 digs, and a blocking assist. She scored 16.5 points. Not to be outdone, senior Bri Alspaugh added 7 kills, a service ace, 3 digs, and a blocking assist. She scored 8.5 points.

The Michigan Dearborn Fieldhouse saw the return of the first of back-to-back games by the volleyball team on Friday. The Aquinas College Saints visited and edged out the Wolverines on their home court. The Saints won the first two sets but were forced into multiple set points by the Wolverines finally winning the match (21-25, 14-25, 24-26).

Junior Erin Parrinello was showing her skills again as she had 9 kills, 4 digs, and a blocking assist. She scored 9.5 points. Senior Shayla Smalls added 7 kills of her own and a dig. She scored 7 points.

Coach Stark said “we are a growing program that needs to be consistently competitive.”

The final game of the weekend brought #14 Cornerstone University to the Fieldhouse on Saturday. The Golden Eagles of Cornerstone University got the victory in this hard hitting contest (20-25, 16-25, 18-25).

Senior Shayla Smalls would not be denied this game as she had 10 kills, and 2 digs. She scored 10 points. Junior Katherine Nealy made her presence felt when she added 6 kills, a solo block, and 3 assisted blocks. She scored 8.5 points.

The team travels to Southfield, Mich. on Wednesday night to take on Lawrence Technological University at 7 p.m. Coach Stark said of Lawrence Technological University “we are on the road and it is always tough going into someone else’s building.” He went on to say “they are very athletic and find ways to keep the ball live.”